Long-term earthquake rebuilding cost projected at Rs. 7,400 crore

STATE GOVT SUBMITS EARTHQUAKE REBUILDING DPR DETAILS TO MHA
WITH ONLY Rs 50 CRORES IN CENTRAL ASSSISTANCE RECEIVED THUS FAR, NUMEROUS BILLS PENDING
GANGTOK, 29 Nov: Sikkim’s long term rebuilding, post the 18 September Earthquake will cost an estimated Rs. 7,400 crore. This is the projection prepared by the State government and put up to the Centre as a final memorandum on 28 November. A total of 17 departments have submitted Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) o rebuilding works to be undertaken by them, it was informed.

SDF dismisses claims of 67 Daramdin families quitting party

GANGTOK, 29 Nov: The ruling Sikkim Democratic Front has condemned claims circulated through press releases issued by the former Daramdin panchayat president, Jacob Khaling, contending the resignation by 67 families of Daramdin constituency from the SDF party.

Under the shadow of a slide at Kopibari



The Government Junior High School at Kopibari below Namnang bhir in Gangtok. Through the tree cover above the right shoulder of the school building, the scar of the earthquake-induced landslide can be spied. As per experts, the 18 Sept earthquake has detached a rock mass on this alignment and brought it the brink of collapse. If it comes loose, the school and adjoining houses will be affected.

GANGTOK, 29 Nov: Kopibari, a small village under Shyari constituency, is situated directly below the Namnang cliff. In the past, the village has sustained substantial damage to life and property from landslides, and now, with the 18 September Earthquake, the sheer slope above has been rendered dangerously unstable.

Of 1,800 registered NGOs in Sikkim, only 26 are enrolled with Social Welfare Dept

TO ACCESS GOVT GRANTS, REGISTRATION WITH WELFARE DEPT A MUST
AMEET OBEROI
GANGTOK, 29 Nov: There are a total of 26 Non Governmental Organisations [NGOs] registered with the Social Welfare, Empowerment & Justice Department [SWE&JD] from all over the State.

Four Sikkim martial artists in the national Wushu team

GANGTOK, 29 Nov: Four members of Sikkim Amateur Wushu Association [SAWA] have been selected in the Indian team for the upcoming 10th edition of International Wushu Championship scheduled to be held from 24 to 28 February next year in Hongkong.

Nutrition awareness camp held at Dikchu PHC

WANGCHUK BHUTIADIKCHU, 29 Nov: The Nutrition Cell, Social Justice Empowerment & Welfare Department, organized a Nutrition awareness camp for Dzongu ICDS staff at Dikchu, PHC in North Sikkim on 28 November.

Old age home to come up at Ralong

GANGTOK, 29 Nov: Minister, Neeru Sewa announced the construction of an Old Age Home at Ralong under Central Pendam constituency in a meeting held at Rangpo today.

Red Cross Society reviews and plans activities in Sikkim

GANGTOK, 29 Nov: The Indian Red Cross Society, Sikkim Branch, convened a meeting on 25 November chaired by Speaker, KT Gyaltsen who is also the President of the Society’s state branch at the Conference Hall of Sikkim Legislative Assembly, informs a press release. The meeting was attended by Vice Chairman, Dr SK Dewan, Legal adviser, Mr. Uppadhai, General Secretary, BK Roka, Jt. Secretary, KN Subedi along with the executive and regular members of the society.

Rangpo Indrakil Prayag construction work to begin in Feb 2012

GANGTOK, 29 Nov: The construction work for the Rangpo Indrakil Prayag will begin in February next. The decision was taken at a meeting held today at the conference hall of the Rangpo Tourism Office after the area MLA and Minister, Neeru Sewa inspected the site.

NYK’s National Integration Camp begins at Singtam

GANGTOK, 29 Nov [IPR]: The National Integration Camp organized by Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan, Sikkim Zone was inaugurated by the State Rural Management and Development Minister, CB Karki, today, at Bihari Bhawan, Singtam.

In Memorium

Remembering Dr. Pemba of Darjeeling
MENLA ETHENPA
One of the most outstanding sons of the queen of the hills, Darjeeling, Dr. Tsewang Yishey Pemba breathed his last at Siliguri on 26 Nov 2011. He was 79 years old. After passing out from Victoria School, Kurseong in the year 1948, he joined St. Joseph’s College, Darjeeling.

Sikkim officially declared “Disaster Affected State”

GANGTOK, 28 Nov: Sikkim has now been officially declared as a “Disaster Affected State”. This was notified by the State government on 21 November, 2011 in view of the damages caused by the earthquake of 18 September and has been done so with immediate effect.
Sources inform that the reason behind this move to declare the State as a “Disaster Affected State” is to avail soft loans and other facilities from the various banks here as well as source funds from international funding agencies such as the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank. This is a requirement stipulated as per the Reserve Bank of India guidelines.

Cost of stabilising failed slopes pegged at Rs. 35.50 crore

GOVT ENDORSES MITIGATION MEASURES RECOMMENDED BY MINES & GEOLOGY DEPTT
GANGTOK, 28 Nov: The State government, through the Mines and Geology Department, has decided to undertake a number of appropriate mitigation measures for landslides that may be triggered on slopes weakened by the 18 September Earthquake. Several of the mitigation measures decided upon by the government were also submitted to the Central government through the Ministry of Home Affairs in the month of October, it is learnt.

Rajya Sabha Petitions Committee to arrive in Dec, hear old business community demand for equal status

GANGTOK, 28 Nov: A delegation of the Rajya Sabha Petitions Committee is expected to visit the state in the month of December. This is in connection with the demands placed certain members of the old business community led by veteran Prem Goyal who have been demanding equal status with the local populace in terms of various facilities provided by the government.

Pick-up crushes minor to death at Tibet Road

GANGTOK, 28 Nov: A minor girl was crushed to death this afternoon when a “pick-up” truck ran her over at Tibet Road here. The vehicle, a “407 truck”, on its way to deliver a consignment of cement at Tathangchen, crushed the class-II student of West Point Senior Secondary School, Man Maya Biswakarma, at around 3:30 p.m.

3 booked for assault in Lachung

GANGTOK, 28 Nov: Three persons were arrested in Lachung on charges of assaulting and threatening the manager of a company engaged in works in North Sikkim. Norbu Lachungpa, Lanchey Lachungpa and Bhai Lachungpa have been accused of forced entry and threatening the Manager of MG Contractor Pvt Ltd at Dongeythang, Lachung in the wee hours of 27 November.

Lady peddler nabbed in Jorethang

GANGTOK, 28 Nov: A woman was arrested on charges of being a drug peddler by the Jorethang police on Sunday. The lady was allegedly found peddling controlled substances at Majhigoan, Jorethang when she was apprehended by the police. On being taken to the police station she was searched by a lady officer following which 75 capsules of Spasmo-Proxyvon and an empty file of N10 was found hidden in her inner garments.

Central Bank of India provides life insurance policies for underprivileged children at Namchi

MRS. CHAMLING MATCHES THE OFFER, DOUBLING THE POLICY VALUENAMCHI, 28 Nov: A unique and thoughtful idea in the form of a special programme to extend Life Insurance coverage for underprivileged children was held here at Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Institute for the Handicapped (JNMIH) at Boomtar, Namchi. The programme was organized by Central Bank of India (CBI) Regional Office, Siliguri, along with Gangtok and Namchi branch.

AKRS meets to discuss Rai Tableau for Republic Day 2012

GANGTOK, 28 Nov: A meeting of Akhil Kirat Rai Sangh (AKRS), Sikkim was held under the chairmanship of Political Secretary to the Chief Minister, KN Rai, at his residence to discuss the Tableau of the Rai community which is scheduled to be included in the Republic Day parade in New Delhi next year, informs a press release.

Fungus identified, Spices Board grapples with ways to fight it and resuscitate large cardamom production in Sikkim

ANUPA RAI
GANGTOK, 27 Nov: The Spices Board recently prepared a report on the “Management of Colletotrichum blight of large cardamom” which looks at the disease that has led to decline in large cardamom production in Sikkim.
“Blight disease that affects large cardamom is one of the major reasons for production decline at present,” states the report and informs that the disease is present in varying degrees at all locations of cultivation.

Editorial

Tourism Priorities, Post-Earthquake
Tourism has taken a hard hit in the wake of the 18 September Earthquake. Tourist arrivals in the post-earthquake months have been a sliver of the jeeploads which would otherwise drive into Sikkim with the start of the Durga Puja holidays. And with this dip, the main weakness of the tourism sector – the impact of factors beyond the host state’s control on tourist seasons – has been underlined. Sikkim, like any other tourist destination, knows this fickleness of tourist seasons only too well.

Milching cows distributed in South Sikkim

NAMCHI, 28 Nov: The AHLSF&VSD, South distributed a total of 10 milching cows to farmers of South District under the General category of beneficiaries today.

Majhitar residents form ‘Majhitar Samaj Kalyan Samity’

MAJHITAR, 28 Nov: Residents of Majhitar near Rangpo have come together to form the ‘Majhitar Samaj Kalyan Samity’, a social organization to educate the public on their civic responsibilities and promote the co-operative movement in order to sort out social problems.

27th Nov Committee celebrates foundation day

GANGTOK, 28 Nov: The executive committee of the ‘27th Nov Committee’ celebrated its foundation day here yesterday. The meeting, chaired by its president, reviewed its past activities and unanimously decided on issues like, Local Protection Act, informs a press release. 

Red Fest team reaches Modern Senior Secondary School

GANGTOK, 28 Nov: ‘Positive Intervention’, a direct intervention in schools and colleges, was organized by the Red fest team at Modern Senior Secondary School on 28 November. Students of class eight and above benefitted from this programme, informs a press release.

PYKKA Sports concludes at Namchi

NAMCHI, 28 Nov: The District Level Rural PYKKA (Panchayat Yuva Krida aur Khel Abhiyan) Sports Competition 2011-2012 which had started on 25 November in the South District concluded at the Bhaichung Stadium Namchi today.

Rigzing Sokdup prayers conclude at Kambal

GANGTOK, 28 Nov:  The three-day Rigzing Sokdup prayers organized by the Ritsung Chorten Committee at Kambal in East Sikkim concluded today, informs a press release. 

Sensitisation programme prepares officials for integrated district planning for BRGF

GANGTOK, 28 Nov: As Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF), a centrally funded Rural Development programme, enters its sixth year, preparation of Perspective Plans for the 12th Five Year Plan Period (2012- 2017) set off with a sensitization workshop for all the line department officials, District Programme Officers, Project Officer (BRGF) and the Field Facilitators.

Gyalshing-Omchung ZPU becomes West PYKKA champ

GYALSHING, 28 Nov [IPR]: The 2nd District level sports competition, under PYKKA (Panchayat Yuva Krida Aur Khel Abhiyan) for West district which had kicked off at Kyongsa ground here on 24 Nov concluded on 27 Nov.

Awareness on rural development through entertainment in West Sikkim

GANGTOK, 28 Nov: An awareness programme on rural development began from 24 November at Maneybong, Sopakha, Karmatar, Singrampong and Topung in West Sikkim, informs a press release.

Stability drastically degraded, future threats present major challenges

MINES & GEOLOGY DEPT SUBMITS REPORT ON IMPACT OF EARTHQUAKE ON SIKKIM’S LAND AND ROCK MASS
STUDY OF 150 EARTHQUAKE-INDUCED SLIDES FLAGS 12 FOR URGENT ATTENTION AND RECOMMENDS LONGTERM MEASURES FOR ANOTHER 32
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS PLANS SHOULD SEEK OUT LOCAL INPUTS

GANGTOK, 27 Nov: With more than 150 landslides triggered off all over the State by the 18 September Earthquake, there is now genuine concern over the stability of the soil and rock formations and whether they will be able to withstand the next monsoon. Concern over the safety and security of life and property in the coming seasons has become a top priority with the State government now with the Mines & Geology Department reporting that there are likely to be numerous slides next monsoon as the slopes and hill sides have been destabilized and considerably weakened by the impact of the earthquake. Not just landslides, there is also a threat of glacial lake outbursts in North Sikkim.

Music video on HIVAIDS awareness launched

GANGTOK, 27 Nov: Local singer, Tshering Wangchuk Lepcha launched his Nepali music video titled ‘Sukha Paat’ at Café Live and Loud on Friday. Ranipool Ward Councillor, Damber Dahal was present as the chief guest at the launch.

Editorial

Post-Earthquake, Collaborate More SubstantiallyThere should be no surprises in the warning posted by the Mines & Geology Department in its preliminary report on the impact of 18 September Earthquake on the land stability of Sikkim. The litter of landslides triggered by the temblor trail the Sikkim landscape for all to see, and where BRO road expansion works have added to slope instability, are there for all commuters to suffer as well.

67 families quit SDF in Daramdin

GANGTOK, 27 Nov: 67 families under Daramdim Constituency resigned from the SDF party today in a meeting held at one DB Subba’s house chaired by Man Bir Subba, informs a press release issued by the former panchayat, Chumbung, Jacob Khaling.

JCS welcomes SPA’s new executive committee

GANGTOK, 27 Nov:  Journalist Club of Sikkim has welcomed the formation of the new executive body of Sikkim Press Association, informs a press release issued by the president and general secretary, Mingma Bhutia and Ratan Gurung.

76th edition of Pratibha Milan held in Gangtok

THREE FELICITATIONS AND THREE BOOKS RELEASED
GANGTOK, 27 Nov: Poets and writers, Apsara Dahal, Sonam Dong and Arjun Chamling ‘Yawa’ were felicitated for their contributions in the field of literature at the 76th edition of Pratibha Milan today in a function held here in the capital.
The Pratibha Milan was chaired by renowned poet, Thiru Prasad Nepal from Namchi and attended by renowned poet, Bichandra Pradhan as the chief guest.

North Headmasters place common grievances at coordination meeting

MANGAN, 27 Nov:  School Headmasters along with the SUTWA President placed a 14-point agenda framed by the Headmasters of Primary Schools and Junior High Schools at a coordination meeting held at the Mangan BAC conference hall here on 24 November.

Lok Adalat settles one case in North Sikkim

GANGTOK, 27 Nov: A High Court Lok Adalat was held on 26 Nov at the Mediation Centre, Pentok, Mangan, North Sikkim presided over by Judge, High Court and Executive Chairman, Sikkim State Legal Services Authority, Justice SP Wangdi along with GP Pradhan, Dr. Henrimit Lepcha and Norden Bhutia as the ‘other persons’ of the High Court Lok Adalat.
Out of 3 cases taken up, one was successfully settled, informs an official press release.

Gnathang ZPU lifts East district PYKKA competition

GANGTOK, 27 Nov: Gnathang ZPU lifted the Overall Championship trophy of the district-level PYKKA Competition of East Sikkim organized by the East District PYKKA Committee here.

Grand Losoong celebrations planned for Maniram Bhanjyang

NAMCHI, 27 Nov: Bhutia Basti Vikas Samiti of Maniram Bhanjyang, South Sikkim, has announced plans to celebrate Losoong in a grand manner this year.

SPA elects new executive committee

GANGTOK, 27 Nov: The Sikkim Press Association [SPA] formed its new Executive Committee at a hotel in Deorali on 26 November, informs a press release. All candidates stood for elections uncontested.

NYK to conduct National Integration camp at Singtam

GANGTOK, 27 Nov: Nehru Yuva Kendra [NYK] Gangtok Zonal Office is conducting a six-day long National Integration Camp at Bihari Bhawan Hall, Singtam from 29 November to 04 December.

Follow-up meeting on earthquake relief measures held at Lower Rakdong

LOWER RAKDONG, 25 Nov:  A meeting to deliberate on earthquake relief and other development work was held here at the Gram Prasashan Kendra at Lower Rakdong in East Sikkim. The meeting was attended by Tumin-Lingee MLA, Chief Whip Ugen T Gyatso Bhutia, accompanied by Member of State Planning Commission, Lhakila Tongden Lepcha, BDO Tintek, Tenzing Dorjee Denzongpa, Zilla member, Saraswati Regmi, and Panchayat members of five wards under Rakdong Tintek GPU.

Communication gap behind poor participation in CAEPHT trainings

ORGANIC FARMING WILL BEAR FRUIT IN THE LONG RUN, SAYS CAU DIRECTORGANGTOK, 25 Nov: “Communication gap could be the reason behind poor participation by extension functionaries and local farmers during training programmes conducted by the College of Agricultural Engineering and Post Harvest Technology [CAEPHT], Ranipool .” This opinion was laid to mediapersons in a press conference held here at Tadong by Director [Extension], Central Agricultural University, Imphal, Dr. M. Premjit Singh today.

Trials for National Youth Festival in Dec

GANGTOK, 25 Nov: The Tumin-Lingee Youth Association is leading the State contingent to the forthcoming 17th National Youth Festival to be held in Bangalore, Karnataka, from 12-16 January 2012. 

Editorial

These Days

Readers would have noticed the sudden spike in the number of AIDS awareness programmes being held across the State over the past week. Some might even have begun wondering about the reason behind this sudden urgency in addressing the challenge of HIV/ AIDS.

SDF reorganises Temi-Namphing constituency committees

NAMCHI, 25 Nov: The reformation of committees for the ward and block levels, Cheli Morcha and youth wing of the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front at Temi-Namphing constituency began today.

Coordination meeting on Village Development Programme held in West Sikkim

NAMCHI, 25 Nov: A coordination meeting on the financial implications of VDP (Village Development Programme) was convened on 24 Nov at Malidang in West Sikkim under the chairmanship of District Collector, West, Santa Pradhan by Ajambari Farmers Club, Malidang and Lakshya Organisation, Lower Kitam.

Culture Department observes ‘Quami Ekta Week’

GANGTOK, 25 Nov: The Cultural Affairs and Heritage Department [CA&HD] observed the ‘Quami Ekta Week’ with different activities from 19 to 25 November.

Shameful that SDF Govt could not provide Bhaichung with land for football academy: Upreti

GANGTOK, 25 Nov: Senior vice president, Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee [SPCC], KN Upreti, has expressed disappointment over the State Government’s inability to provide land for establishing a national football academy to football star Bhaichung Bhutia.

Sikkim contingent leaves for Mizoram Paragliding Festival

GANGTOK, 25 Nov: A contingent of paragliding pilots from the Sikkim Paragliding Adventure Sports Cooperative Society Ltd consisting of seven pilots including two women pilots left for Mizoram on 25 Nov to participate in the 1st Mizoram Paragliding Festival and Accuracy Spot Landing competition from 28-30 Nov, organized by Mizoram Tourism Department and 3Dimension Adventures.

Red Fest at Tadong Govt School

GANGTOK, 25 Nov: The Red Fest team with the message of non-discrimination of HIV and AIDS infected people, sharing awareness and encouraging students to participate in voluntary blood donation reached Govt. Senior Secondary School, Tadong today.

High Court chastises insurance company for delaying tactics

NEW INDIA ASSURANCE’S APPEAL AGAINST MOTOR ACCIDENTS CLAIMS TRIBUNAL DISMISSED WITH COSTS
COURT SHOOTS DOWN INSURANCE COMPANY’S ‘OBJECTIVE’ TO ‘DEPRIVE VICTIMS OF ACCIDENTS FROM LEGITIMATE COMPENSATION’
GANGTOK, 24 Nov: Insurance claimants of motor vehicle accidents are often put under unnecessary harassment by the insurance companies come the time of applying for claims under the Motor Vehicles Act. And more often than not, the claimants have to approach the judiciary for redressal of grievances against the insurance agencies.

Sikkim’s IT plans unveiled at SIKITEX 2011

MELLI-DARA PANCHAYAT PRESIDENT GK RAI CONFERRED “SIKITEX IT PERSON OF THE YEAR 2011”
ANUSHA GURUNGGANGTOK, 24 Nov: SIKITEX-2011, IT Exhibition and Conference, was inaugurated by the Speaker, Sikkim Legislative Assembly, KT Gyaltsen, here at Chintan Bhawan today. The two-day event is being held on the theme, “education and health technologies”, and has been organized by the Department of Information Technology for the third consecutive year.

CM’s Sikkim Bhraman sanctions delivered to Ranka and Luing

RANKA, 24 Nov: The sanctioned orders for construction of Tubular Structure Green House and Water Harvesting Tanks by the Chief Minister during his village-to-village tour of Upper Burtuk constituency [Ranka and Luing] were delivered to the people by the Horticulture & Cash Crop Development Department today at the Ranka Block Administrative Centre.

Sighting below Gangtok brings back bear scare

GANGTOK, 24 Nov: After a Himalayan Black Bear was spotted at Saramsa last week, another bear sighting was reported near human habitation at 6th Mile Samdur Wednesday afternoon. However, no attacks on humans have been reported in both of these instances and it was also not confirmed whether both the sightings were of the same bear.

Gangtok gets a taste of contemporary art

ANUPA RAIGANGTOK, 24 Nov: An art exhibition on Contemporary Paintings of India was inaugurated here at White Hall today by the Secretary, Cultural Affairs and Heritage Department, Nalini G Pradhan.

Local community comes together under MGNREGA to transform wasteland into playground

Legship playground [before]

Legship playground [after]

GANGTOK, 24 Nov [IPR]: RM&DD Minister, C B Karki along with Area MLA, MB Dahal inaugurated a community playground at Baluwakhani Legship in Gyalshing Omchung Gram Panchayat Unit, Lower Omchung Ward falling under BAC Gyalshing in West District on 24 Nov.

Char Dham receiving an average of 250 visitors daily

NAMCHI, 24 Nov [IPR]: Prayers on the occasion of Balachaturdasi were held here at Char Dham, Solophok, Namchi, today. This was the first puja held after the Pran Pratisthan of Char Dham on 08 November 2011.

32-year-old man commits suicide

GANGTOK, 24 Nov: A 32-year-old man committed suicide by hanging in his rented room at Chujachen, Rongli in East Sikkim on Wednesday. The deceased hails from Lave Sherpa Busty in Gurubathan.

Break-in and theft at Dikchu

GANGTOK, 24 Nov: Some unidentified persons broke into the house of Medical Officer, Dikchu PHC, Dr Mohan Thapa while he was away and made away with some of his belongings.
Dr Thapa, police records inform, had left for Gangtok on 16 November and when he returned to his quarter on 21 November, he found the door broken and Rs 27,000 in cash along with other belongings missing.

Training on storage and preservation of foodgrains gets underway

GANGTOK, 24 Nov [IPR]: A two-day training programme on ‘Storage and Preservation of Food Grains’ jointly organized by Central Warehousing Corporation, Government of India and Food & Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department, got underway here today, at the conference hall of SIRD Complex, Karfectar.

Namchi residents donate 33 units of blood

NAMCHI, 24 Nov: A total of 33 units of blood were donated by the teachers and students of Namchi Government College, members of the Voluntary Blood Donors Association of Sikkim (VBDAS) and Red Ribbon Club of South District here at the District Blood Bank today.

SDF condemns attack on Sharad Pawar

GANGTOK, 24 Nov: The SDF party has condemned the attack on Union Minister for Agriculture and leader of the National Congress Party, Sharad Pawar.

Red Fest at Deorali Girls School

GANGTOK, 24 Nov:  “AIDS does not spread by touching, hugging, sharing food, sharing clothes or by helping an HIV infected person.” This was one of the messages that went out to the students of Deorali Girls Senior Secondary School, Gangtok, on 24 November as part of the Sikkim State AIDS Control Society’s awareness campaign ‘Red Fest’, informs a press release.

Army Public School observes Communal Harmony Week

GANGTOK, 24 Nov: Army Public School, Gangtok has been conducting various programmes since 19 Nov to observe the Communal Harmony week. On 24 Nov, an all religious meet was held in the school in which representatives of Muslim, Christian, Hindu and Sikh religions presented their views on religious amity, informs a press release.

Sai Samithi holds spiritual programme at Namchi District Prison

NAMCHI, 24 Nov: On the occasion of the 86th birth anniversary of Sri Sathya Sai Baba, the Sri Sathya Sai Samithi Namchi conducted National Narayan Seva at the Namchi District Prison.

Limboo feature film ‘Chasung’ to premiere on 27 Nov

GANGTOK, 24 Nov: The premiere of the Limboo feature film, “Chasung”, will be held on 27 Nov at the Tadong Government College auditorium.

State’s high-powered committee on Ratong Chu HEPs begins preliminary survey of affected area

GANGTOK, 23 Nov: Within days of the State government constituting a high-powered committee under the Chief Secretary to examine issues related to the project implementation and other aspects related to the three hydel projects on the Rathong Chu in West Sikkim, the committee members have begun the task of conducting tours and surveys of the affected areas in West Sikkim.

DM orders seizure of 5 mobile telecom towers in West Sikkim

GANGTOK, 23 Nov: District Magistrate, West, S Pradhan, has seized 5 mobile telecom towers in West Sikkim and placed them under police custody. These towers have been embroiled in controversy for the past month or so over nonpayment of dues to the local youth who were contracted to construct the towers.

Editorial

Ensure Even-handed Employment
From information available thus far, a slick operator preyed on the insecurities of unemployment and fleeced at least 21 youth in South district of money they could not afford to squander away [they were unemployed after all]. The cops suspect that the con could have duped at least a hundred victims in the two districts of South and West Sikkim. Money which the unemployed youth in question could have used to sign up for meaningful courses to enhance their skills or invested in self-employment ventures was instead handed over to a person who convinced them that he could ‘arrange’ employment [government or private as they desired] for them. From information shared by the South District Police, sums ranging from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 1.60 lakh were paid up by individuals desperate for employment.

Repeat sex offender rapes 85-year-old

GANGTOK, 23 Nov: A once convicted sex offender has again been found to have committed the same offence, this time on an 85 year old woman. Surjaman Rai, 22 and resident of Gankha, Martam, was arrested by the Singtam police on 22 November on charges of having sexually assaulted an 85 year old lady living in Nazitam..

Sri Satya Sai Baba’s birth anniv celebrated in Gangtok

GANGTOK, 23 Nov: The Sai Temple at Baluakhani reverberated with cheers of “Jai Sai Ram” on the occasion of the 86th Birth Anniversary of Sri Satya Sai Baba today.

Teen commits suicide

GANGTOK, 23 Nov: A minor girl has committed suicide in West District. According to reports, the girl was just 13 years of age and a resident of Yangtey basti. She is reported to have committed suicide in her house by hanging herself on 22 November.

Tatkal tickets in one day now

GANGTOK, 23 Nov [IPR]: Ministry of Railways, Government of India has introduced a new “Tatkal Scheme” which came into effect on 21 November. The Advance Reservation Period (ARP) of Tatkal Scheme has been reduced from 2 days to 1 day excluding the day of journey.

Grand observance of Disability Day planned for 03 Dec

GANGTOK, 23 Nov: A joint meeting by the East District Administration and Non-Governmental Organizations held today decided to celebrate the Badhtey Kadam Campaign and Disability Day in a grand manner to create awareness amongst the masses on 03 December at MG Marg.

Additional 15 kgs of rice for BPL families

GANGTOK, 23 Nov: The Food & Civil Supplies Department has implemented a scheme under which BPL families with more than six members will get an additional 15 kgs of rice on their ration card every month.

Fatal fall at 8 Mile

GANGTOK, 23 Nov: 45 year old Kul Bahadur Bista is reported to have died when he fell off the road side. According to reports, the resident of 8 Mile, Lingdok, East Sikkim, fell about 600 feet down the road side at the 8th Mile turning on the night of 21 November.

Overseas student at SU shares his experience

GANGTOK, 23 Nov: Tourism takes much of the credit when it comes to highlighting Sikkim on the global map, however, the academic experience of Tatsuki Shirai may now perhaps make the outside world reflect on its academic potential as well.
Tatsuki Shirai who hails from Japan has been a student at Sikkim University for almost a year and is now heading back home following the expiry of his visa. Mr. Shirai, who also happens to be the first overseas student in Sikkim, expressed that it was an honour to have studied here and informed that the experience was “challenging yet exciting”.

TAAS provides on-the-job training to school students

GANGTOK, 23 Nov: Travel Agents Association of Sikkim (TAAS) today began imparting on-the-job training for students of Vocational Studies in Tourism.

AIDS awareness at Baha’I School

GANGTOK, 23 Nov: “Getting to Zero” – Zero new HIV cases, Zero discrimination, Zero HIV related deaths, the theme of World AIDS Day 2011, was highlighted to the students of Baha’i School, Tadong, as part of the ‘Positive Interventions’, the school level engagement program to bring about awareness on HIV & AIDS amongst youngsters in the State, informs a press release.
Talking about the program, the Principal of Baha’i School, Rupa Sharma said “The Red Fest programme was well organized, and well-coordinated. The program is educative, informative and interesting. Our students thoroughly enjoyed and learnt many things about HIV & AIDS, the do’s and don’ts.”

‘Vyakhyan Shrinkhala’, an interactive monthly programme, to begin on 27 Nov

GANGTOK, 22 Nov: Nepali Sahitya Parishad has announced plans of organizing a monthly interactive programme, “Vyakhyan Shrinkhala”, during which respected personalities of the Nepali-speaking community will share their life experiences with the people, informs a press release issued by the publicity secretary, Hemand Giri.

40 piglets distributed under Piggery Development Prog

NAMCHI, 23 Nov: The Department of AHLF&VS, under the Piggery Development Programme, distributed 40 piglets to four beneficiaries in West district today.

Namchi cops dig out real identity of jobs-for-cash scam accused

ARRESTED AS AJAY RAI OF DEVELOPMENT AREA ON MONDAY, ACCUSED TURNS OUT TO BE SUN KUMAR SUBBA OF SOREONG
NAMCHI, 22 Nov: When the South District cops busted a jobs-for-cash racket yesterday and nabbed the suspected mastermind, they thought that they were arresting Ajay Rai of Development Area [Gangtok], because that was the name against which the complaint was made out.

High Court ‘anguished’ over ‘ambushing of citizen’s rights’

COURT BEGINS CONTEMPT PROCEEDINGS AGAINST 4 SOUTH DIST OFFICIALS IN MELLI HOUSE SEALING CASE
GANGTOK, 22 Nov: The High Court of Sikkim today allowed the DM [South] along with three other south district officials a week’s time to file their replies to the affidavit filed by Nuk Tshering Bhutia, also known as “Melli Sonam”, but not before making known its strong displeasure over the manner in which the petitioner’s house had been sealed on the orders of the South District Magistrate.

Another wife succumbs to domestic violence

GANGTOK, 22 Nov: A case first filed as an Unnatural Death [UD] at the Gyalshing Police Station has now been converted into murder and the accused arrested by the police on 21 November. This is the second time in less than ten days that domestic violence has ended in death for a lady in Sikkim. It might be recalled that a lady had been battered to death by her husband in Gangtok on 14 November.

Spices Board scientists identify Cardamom blight, revival appears possible now

GANGTOK, 22 Nov: Scientists at Spices Board have finally identified the disease that has caused the sharp decline in large cardamom production in the State. In the last four to five years, cardamom production in the state spiralled down substantially due to a fungal disease that attacked plantations compelling farmers to switch to other crops, informs a press release.

‘Education and Health Technologies’ to be showcased at SIKITEX-2011

ANUSHA GURUNGGANGTOK, 22 Nov: SIKITEX, the Information Technology Exhibition and Conference, is being organized on the theme “education and health technologies” this year by the Department of Information Technology on 24 and 25 November at Chintan Bhawan.

Rumtek school hosts ‘Red Fest’

GANGTOK, 22 Nov: Sikkim State AIDS Control Society’s ‘Red Fest’ made its stop at Rumtek Senior Secondary School today. The ‘Positive Intervention’ in schools has travelled to three different schools till now.  According to a press release, forty students from among the senior classes were divided into eight different groups, each group consisting of five members. The teams were engaged in three competitive activities namely ‘Positive Quiz’, ‘Positive Minute’, and ‘Positive Impressions’. The sessions were facilitated by the anchor of Red Fest, Dewakar Basnet who in the course of the fun-filled activities, gave comprehensive knowledge about different aspects of HIV & AIDS, the release informs.

Editorial

Seeking Quality for EducationEducation is being billed as a priority area for governmental assistance, and ‘quality’ is the new watch word. It is heartening in Sikkim to learn that education is receiving a relook, the challenge now will be ensure that the appraisal is frank and forthright and the course correction effective.

NICRA launches potato cultivation prog in quake-stricken Nandok

GANGTOK, 21 Nov: The concept of agro-biodiversity is considered to be most important for maintaining a healthy and strong regional food system which prompted the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, ICAR Sikkim Centre, East Sikkim, Ranipool to launch large scale potato cultivation programme in the quake stricken Nandok village of East Sikkim as an alternative paradigm for climate resilient crop production system, informs a press release.

Sikkim’s Buddhist culture in danger of collapse due to hydel projects on Rathong Chu: SIBLAC

SIBLAC THANKS SPALZES ANGMO FOR STATEMENTS AGAINST HYDEL PROJECTS ON RATHONG CHU, DISMISSES GOVT CLAIMS OF PROTEST LIMITED TO ‘SECTION OF THE PEOPLE’
GANGTOK, 22 Nov: The Sikkim Bhutia Lepcha Apex Committee [SIBLAC] has thanked Minorities Commission member, Spalzes Angmo, for her recent statement that the three hydel projects on the Rathong Chu were a threat to the Buddhist culture of the Himalayas. The organisation has also taken exception to the Lok Sabha MP, PD Rai’s comment that the hydel protest was limited to a ‘section of the people’ and contended that hydel projects have “provoked” opposition from a wide range of organisations.

Meeting deliberates on Potential Linked Credit Plan for South District

Rs. 8,020.67 LAKH PROJECTED FOR AGRI AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN SOUTH DISTRICT FOR 2012-13NAMCHI, 22 Nov: The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural development [NABARD] has initiated the preparation of district-wise Potential Linked Credit Plans [PLCPs] in a bid to build a more “meaningful link” between development planning and the process of credit planning to support agriculture and rural development.

SDF dismisses former MP’s statements as ‘unacceptable’

GANGTOK, 22 Nov: The ruling SDF party has condemned the statements of former SDF MP, Nakul Das Rai, who had alleged that people of the state are not happy with the present government, informs a press release issued by the SDF publicity secretary, Amber Rai.

BJP alleges irregularities in earthquake relief distribution

GANGTOK, 22 Nov: Bharatiya Janta Party, Sikkim unit, has demanded that the Centre investigate the process of relief distribution by the State government in the wake of the 18 September earthquake. The party has alleged irregularities in relief distribution here.

SU team visits Soreng B. Ed College

GANGTOK, 22 Nov: Vice Chancellor, Sikkim University, Prof. Mahendra P. Lama, who is on a tour of colleges around Sikkim along with his team, visited Govt. B.Ed College at Soreng, West Sikkim, on Monday, informs a press release.

NABARD reviews SHG progress in Rongli

GANGTOK, 22 Nov: A meeting of the Project Implementation & Monitoring Committee (PIMC) of the Self Help Promoting Institution Project (SHPi) sanctioned to the NGO, Youth Development Society of Sikkim (YODESS) was held in its office at Rongli, East Sikkim, informs a press release.

76th Pratibha Milan to be held on 27 Nov

GANGTOK, 22 Nov: The 76th Pratibha Milan, a monthly programme, will be held on 27 Nov at Hotel Dzong, informs a press release issued by the co-ordinators, Amar Baniya ‘Lohoro’ and Chandra Dulal.

Arithang MPCS convenes annual meeting

GANGTOK, 22 Nov: The annual meeting of Arithang Multi Purpose Cooperation Society was convened on 21 November here at Arithang. The meeting, which was chaired by T Bhutia, was also attended by Joint Registrar, Tulsi Pradhan, ARCS, Chandra Rai and Inspector, Atish Rai from Cooperative Department.

Stricter guidelines framed for NGOs seeking govt aid

GANGTOK, 21 Nov: All non-governmental organizations [NGOs] seeking grants from the State government will now have meet certain guidelines to become eligible for such grants. As of now, the more than 1,800 NGOs registered with the Law Department were not required to do much by way of following any rules, regulations or prescribed guidelines. The government, this time around, has also recognized that many of the registered NGOs are not active or actively engaged in any programmes and projects as they should be. Moreover, it is common knowledge that many are also formed to secure funding from agencies within and outside the state.

Court order to attach properties of absconding rape accused forces them into the open

NAMCHI, 21 Nov: Fugitives in a rape case, who had managed to evade arrest for the past more than 18 months, were taken into custody here today after a Sessions Court [East & North] order to have their properties attached [given their fugitive status] forced them into the open.

First Convocation programmes at Livelihood Schools for Melli and Namthang

GANGTOK, 21 Nov: The first convocation, the certificate graduation programme, of Melli Livelihood School was held on 19 Nov and the convocation of the first batch of students at Namthang Livelihood School [Electrical trade] a day earlier.
The Namthang event had the BDO [Namthang], Robin Sewa, as chief guest, accompanied by Deputy Director, Estate Management, SICB, Bipula Dhakal and other invited guests.

One arrested in jobs-for-cash con

NAMCHI, 21 Nov: South District Police today arrested 29-year-old Ajay Rai, a resident of Development Area, Gangtok, on suspicion of being the mastermind behind an elaborate jobs-for-cash scam which, they believe, has conned more than a 100 unemployed youth across the State.

Committee to look into local employment in hotel industry and other private sector units

GROUP CHAIRED BY CHIEF SECRETARY WILL ALSO SURVEY WORKING CONDITIONS
GANGTOK, 21 Nov: The State government has already laid down several guidelines and has been repeatedly reminding the private sector here to give priority to locals in employment, and now, it has initiated yet another step to ensure that locals are accorded preference in jobs in the private sector.

First set of 20 Mangzing slide victims to receive land finalized

ALLOTMENT ORDERS TO BE HANDED OVER BY CM ON TUESDAYGANGTOK, 21 Nov: The first phase of distribution of land to those displaced by the Mangzing landslide was carried out today at Niya-Mangzing Gram Prasharan Kendra.

Community awareness on RTE in Namchi

NAMCHI, 21 Nov: Training on community awareness for Zilla Panchayats, School Management Committees and Working Committee members along with other stake holders was conducted here at the Community Centre by Sarva Siksha Abhiyan-Right To Education, HRDD South.

Editorial

Manipuri DeadlockThe economic blockade of Manipur is now over a hundred and ten days old. It has been underway for so long that now even the media has tired of reporting on it, and unfortunately, in times when national agenda is set by mainstream TV news channels, in the absence of wall to wall coverage, the Centre is doing nothing about it and no efforts are being made to find out what the State Government there is doing, or not doing to, resolve the situation either.

SU students organize anti-drugs campaign at Bahai School

GANGTOK, 21 Nov: Students of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, Sikkim University organized an Anti Drugs Campaign at Bahai Senior Secondary School, Saramsa.

Bhutia Kay Rab Yargay Tshogpo felicitates three Bhutia litterateurs

BOOK ON BHUTIA PROVERBS RELEASED MANGAN, 21 Nov: Three eminent Bhutia litterateurs, former Senior Announcer AIR Kurseong/ Gangtok, Yapchung Kazi, Bhutia text books writer Pema Ringzing Bhutia and former HRDD Joint Director, Padmashree Norden Tshering Bhutia, were felicitated for their “selfless contribution towards the promotion of Bhutia language and literature” by the Bhutia Kay Rab Yargay Tshogpo [BKYT], North District, at a special function held here at the Zilla Bhavan yesterday for the development of literature, language and culture.

IPR hands over Positive Journalism Grants

GANGTOK, 21 Nov: Five journalists, whose names were announced on National Press Day [16 Nov], received the Positive Journalism Grant of Rs. 10,000 each from the Department of Information & Public Relations at a special function held here today with Advisor, Social Welfare Department, BB Gooroong, as the chief guest.

Former MP calls for opposition parties to unite

GANGTOK, 21 Nov: Former SDF MP, Nakul Das Rai, has expressed that the time has come for all opposition parties to come together with public concern in mind to spread political awareness among the masses and “demolish the myth” that “only the SDF party has potential to form a government”, informs a press release.

AIDS awareness hosted at Daramdin Sai Mandir

GANGTOK, 21 Nov: The Sikkim State AIDS Control Society organized an HIV/ AIDS awareness programme at the Sai Mandir at Daramdin in West Sikkim on Sunday.

Public Information Campaign coming up for Khamdong

GANGTOK, 21 Nov: The third Public Information Campaign [PIC] for the year 2011-12 and the 17th in Sikkim thus far to generate awareness on the flagship programmes [Bharat Nirman] of the Government of India will be held at the Block Administrative Centre, Khamdong in East Sikkim from 23 to 25 November, informed CK Dorjee, Director, Press Information Bureau, Gangtok, today.

Red Fest at TNSSS

GANGTOK, 21 Nov: ‘Positive Intervention’, an effort towards generating wider awareness on HIV/ AIDS by integrating awareness among school students, in underway in schools across the State and reached the Sir Tashi Namgyal Senior Secondary School here today.

Mangan celebrates 86th birth anniv of Sai Baba

Sri Satya Sai Sewa Samiti of Mangan celebrated the 86th birth anniversary of Sri Satya Sai Baba yesterday with a rally from the Shiv Mandir to the DAC via Mangan bazaar and spiritual cum “Narayan Seva” programme.

A year on, Sikkim Lokayukta Bill still pending with Centre

CENTRAL DRAFT LOKPAL BILL ALSO PENDING WITH STATE GOVT
GANGTOK, 20 Nov: It is almost a year now since the Sikkim Lokayukta Bill was tabled and passed by the State Legislative Assembly, but the Bill is yet to be enacted; that is to say, it is yet to become a full fledged Act and notified for implementation. On the other hand, many states have already constituted their own Lokayuktas. On enquiry, it was learnt that the Nill (No. 21 of 2010) is pending with the union government.

PD Rai sees Angmo’s comments as ‘extreme provocation’, will register ‘strong protest’

GANGTOK, 20 Nov: Lok Sabha MP from Sikkim, PD Rai, through a press release, has expressed reservations over the views of member of Minorities Commission, Spalzes Angmo, who was recently on a visit to the State to assess the damages and relief measures being carried out in the wake of the 18 Sept earthquake.

‘Red Fest’ reaches Sang School

GANGTOK, 20 Nov: After Tashi Namgyal Academy, the ‘Red Fest’, initiated by the Sikkim State AIDS Control Society, reached Sang Senior Secondary School in East Sikkim on 19 Nov. A press release informs that the event saw active participation from around three hundred students.

Horticulture Deptt begins distributing grants sanctioned by CM during Dzongu visit

WANGCHUK BHUTIA
HEE-GYATHANG, 20 Nov: The Horticulture & Cash Crop Development Department started distributing grants under schemes sanctioned by the Chief Minister during his village-to-village tour in North Sikkim earlier this month. A total of 100 beneficiaries from the Hee-Gyathang GPU of Dzongu were handed over grants for the construction of green houses, a demand that the people from the GPU had placed to the CM during his visit of Dzongu.

2 killed, 6 injured in Mangthang accident

SINGTAM, 20 Nov: Two persons were killed and six injured in an accident involving a government vehicle [a Maruti van of the RMDD bearing registration number SK-01G-0415] here at the PMGSY road at Nimtar, Mangthang, at “Jyanmara Bhir”.

When dreams find wings

Paragliding Sikkim in Colours
RAJIVA SHANKER SHRESTA
After a week of chilly cloudy weather, bright and sunny days are back here in Gangtok with Kanchenjunga visible throughout. When Dr. Keshav Lall Maharjan of the Hiroshima University was here the previous week, he e-mailed me one fine morning from his Sikkim University Guest House-room nearby seeking help to identify the peak.

Universal Children’s Day

Editorial:
Yesterday, 20 November, was Universal Children’s Day. The day observed to mark the UN’s adoption of the Declaration of Children’ Rights in 1959. The Convention which followed is a legally binding treaty that obliges governments to “respect, protect and fulfil” children’s rights through their legislation and policies.

Mangthang farmers briefed on organic agricultural production and disease control

GANGTOK, 20 Nov: International Panacea Ltd., Sikkim, organized an awareness programme on agricultural production and disease control under the State Organic Farming Mission for the farmers at Mangthang under Tumin Lingzey GPU on 17 Nov, informs an official press release. 

THE PROPOSAL FOR AN ALTERNATIVE TO NH 31A FOR SIKKIM

Letter:
Your news dated 16th Nov, 2011 on alternative highway to Sikkim from Siliguri as proposed by me has not been correctly reported by the media. The proposed alignment does not touch Pakyong and Rhenock . Also, the tunnel below Sumen Hill is not 24km as reported.

ASESEUA extends support to Save Sikkim protest

GANGTOK, 20 Nov: All Sikkim Educated Self-Employed & Unemployed Association [ASESE&UA] has extended its full support to Save Sikkim in their protest against the Tashiding Hydro-Electric Project.

Speaker returns from NERCPA meeting, retained as NERCPA vice-prez

GANGTOK, 20 Nov: Speaker Sikkim Legislative Assembly, KT Gyaltsen, is back from the executive committee meeting of the North East Region Commonwealth Parliamentary Association [NERCPA] held on 15 November at Dispur, Assam.

NSUI comes out in support of Save Sikkim

GANGTOK, 20 Nov: A team from the National Students Union of India, Sikkim-branch, met members of Save Sikkim and discussed matters related to the Tashiding HEP tunnel work in West Sikkim, informs a press release issued by Sikkim president, NSUI, Binod Chhetri. Extending support to the organisation the release expresses “We will support them in each and every step and we also appeal to the people of Sikkim and all students to support their movement”.

Lok Adalat settles 2 cases

GANGTOK, 20 Nov: Two out of the three cases taken up were settled in the High Court Lok Adalat held at the Sikkim State Legal Services Authority Office here at Sichey yesterday. The Lok Adalat was presided over by High Court of Sikkim judge, Justice SP Wangdi, who is also the Executive Chairman of Sikkim State Legal Services Authority [SSLSA] along with GP Pradhan, Dr. Henrimit Lepcha and Geeta Gurung  as the “other persons” of the High Court Lok Adalat, informs an SSLSA press release.

Pakyong’s Earthquake Victims Relief Committee contributes to Relief Fund

GANGTOK, 20 Nov: The Earthquake Victims Relief Committee, Pakyong, contributed Rs 1,49,500 to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.

Tingchim-Mangshila wins PYKKA competition in North Sikkim

MANGAN, 20 Nov: The 2nd District level PYKKA competition 2011-12, which began on 12 Nov, concluded today at Mangan Public Ground.
Tingchim Mangshila GPU with 124 points was declared the overall champions followed by Navey Shotak GPU in 2nd position with 110 points, Singhik Sentam GPU in 3rd position with 57points, Lingthem and Lingthem Lingdem GPU in 4th position with 28 points.